Victorian Corsets & Under-Clothing

Although the Victorian corset was in fashion for some years, it is now looked upon by the majority of women as a needless overindulgence. Throughout the 19th century, the corset carefully restricted and re-shaped the figure by tight seams, fabric, bone, metal and laces. According to period, the closing of the corset was made at the front or back and the length was short or elongated above the hips. Such various features changed as the style of women’s garments were reinvented according to the fashion of the day.

Victorian Robe
A luxurious silk
morning Victorian robe from
the mid-1870s is the
quality that would
be worn by an
affluent Victorian
lady of leisure.

Dressing Gowns or Robes de Chambre
The Victorian dressing gown or robe de chambre was intended for bedroom or dressing-room wear only. These robes were made loose, and often confined to the waist by a cord. Several styles of Victorian robes are featured.

Queen’s Unmentionables Up for Sale
A pair of Queen Victoria’s stockings was part of a fine antiques sale at Lyon and Turnbull in Edinburgh. Collecting Victorian royal memorabilia has been an enthusiastic pursuit of collectors for over a hundred years, but why the enthusiam for collecting Victoria’s undergarments?